Eagles Lose Close Affair in Victoria

The Fitzgerald triplets combined for five points to help lead the Victoria Grizzlies to a 2-1 win over the Surrey Eagles on Saturday night. With the loss, the Birds' four game winning streak was snapped. 

Surrey had a strong start to the hockey game but couldn't find the net, and the Grizzlies struck first at 3:22 of the first when Gerry Fitzgerald knocked a rebound past Surrey goalie Glenn Ferguson. The Eagles had a good chance to tie the game late in the first, but Brett Mulcahy wrung the puck off the iron with a shot from the deep slot. 

In the middle frame, the Grizzlies tried to extend their lead but Ferguson stood tall, turning aside all 13 Victoria shots in the period. At 15:21, Brady Shaw tied the game for the Birds with a hard slap shot from the right circle. The goal was Shaw's team leading 17th of the year. 

Victoria retook the lead midway through the third when Gerry Fitzgerald scored his second goal of the evening on the power play after the Eagles took a too many men on the ice penalty. The Grizzlies thought they had extended the lead a few minutes later, but the goal was disallowed after referee Ryan Benbow ruled that Stefan Nicholishen had kicked the puck into the net. The Birds had a number of chances to tie the game late in the third, but Victoria net minder Michael Stiliadis stood tall, preserving the victory for the Grizzlies.

The Surrey power play went a disappointing 0-for-6 in the loss, and the Eagles managed only 28 shots on the Victoria goal. Ferguson made 35 saves between the pipes in the losing cause.

The season series between the Grizzlies and Eagles is now finished with each team picking up a regulation victory.

The Eagles will get right back at it as they conclude their two game Island Division road-trip Sunday afternoon in Nanaimo. The puck drop will be at 3:00pm from Frank Crane Arena.

Official 3 Stars:

1. Gerry Fitzgerald - Victoria

2. Brady Shaw - Surrey

3. Leo Fitzgerald - Victoria

My 3 Stars:

1. Gerry Fitzgerald - Victoria

2. Leo Fitzgerald - Victoria

3. Glenn Ferguson - Surrey